Tarkan Mustafa was sentenced to more than three years in prison after being found guilty of seven counts of sexual assault

A psychotherapist who sexually assaulted two of his patients during treatment sessions at his Ponders End practice has been jailed for three years and nine months.

Tarkan Mustafa, aged 55 and of Woodlands Way in Southgate, had been found guilty of seven counts of sexual assault, including sexual touching, following a two-week trial at Wood Green Crown Court.

As well as his prison sentence, Mustafa has also been placed on the sex offenders register for life and has received a five-year sexual harm prevention order.

The offences were committed at Mustafa’s practice in Ponders End, called ‘Peace of Mind – Private Therapy’.

The Met had previously investigated the therapist’s predatory behaviour nine years ago but no charges were brought by the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) due to a lack of evidence.

Detective Sergeant Myles Bossman, who led the Met’s renewed investigation, said: “Mustafa is a calculated individual. He took advantage of women who were seeking his support for his own sexual gratification, under the guise of medical treatment.

“I want to thank each of the victims for their support and commend their immense courage and bravery in supporting the investigation and providing evidence in court. I hope that today’s sentencing will help to provide closure and strength, knowing that by making a report against Mustafa they have helped to protect other potential patients from becoming victims.

“If you recognise Mustafa’s offending and believe you, or someone you know, may have been a victim, please contact 101 or make a report online, referencing 01/YE/10292/24.

“Today’s sentencing shows that regardless of the amount of time passed, reports will be taken seriously, victims will be supported, and those responsible for committing violence against women will be brought to justice.”

In August 2016, police received a report of sexual assault from a patient of Mustafa, who had attended his practice. An investigation commenced and Mustafa was arrested and interviewed by officers the same month. Officers found that Mustafa had repeatedly sexually assaulted the victim on more than ten occasions over ten months; however, no further action was taken by the CPS at the time.

Four years later, on 31st August 2020, a second victim made a report to police that she had been sexually assaulted by Mustafa on two separate occasions in 2014 when she attended his practice for counselling.

The methods of offending included using highly sexualised language, massaging the victims’ breasts under the pretext of ‘complementary therapy’ – which traditionally includes acupressure and massage – and pressing his erect penis into the victim.

A new investigation commenced, and Mustafa was arrested and interviewed on 26th February 2021. Officers investigating the report noticed the similarities between this and the offending described in the original report.

Officers oversaw the reopening of the original investigation, and the victim was contacted by specially trained officers who provided support.

Mustafa was voluntarily interviewed on 20th January 2023 and subsequently charged on 23rd January 2024.

Following Mustafa’s sentencing, detectives are appealing for any further potential victim-survivors to come forward. Anyone can do so by contacting police on 101 and quoting 01/YE/10292/24.

Alternatively, call the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or visit crimestoppers-uk.org.

No news is bad news

Independent news outlets like ours – reporting for the community without rich backers – are under threat of closure, turning British towns into news deserts.

The audiences they serve know less, understand less, and can do less.

If our coverage has helped you understand our community a little bit better, please consider supporting us with a monthly, yearly or one-off donation.

Choose the news. Don’t lose the news.

Monthly direct debit

Annual direct debit

£5 per month supporters get a digital copy of each month’s paper before anyone else, £10 per month supporters get a digital copy of each month’s paper before anyone else and a print copy posted to them each month. £50 annual supporters get a digital copy of each month's paper before anyone else.